hollowed out, as if for niches, but resembling small boxes placed on end; two are mutilated, one is tolerably perfect. Standen, in this parish, a timber and plaster house, was erected in 1578, according to a date on the chimney-piece of the (present) kitchen. In the lintel over the front door is cut “Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keepeth it,” and another sentence in the parlour on the right of the entrance. From the size of the building, the existing portion is perhaps only part of the original. Several doors are original, ornamented, and the timber, generally, is extremely strong. The chimney-pieces are of Weald marble, (which abounds in that district), susceptible of a high polish. On the north side of the house is a very massive stack of chimnies, but plain.
29. Bilsington.—A Priory for Black Canons was founded here 31st of K. Henry III, A.D. 1253, by John Mansell, clerk. (Lambarde, Harris, Hasted.) John Mansell was provost of Beverley. The date of the foundation charter is, as above, 1253; but Matt. Paris says 1258. (Monast. VI, 492, 493.) Many vestiges were visible in the farm-house standing on the site of the priory in Hasted’s time, who conceived the house to have been the priory chapel. He mentions also four stalls in the parish church, two on each side of the western end of the chancel.
30. Birchington.−This is annexed, as a curacy, to Monkton. Effigies of man and woman; arms, Cryspe and Scott. Brasses: John Felde, 1404; John Quek and child, 1449; Rich. Quek, 1459; Alys, wife of John Cryspe, 1518; John Heynys, vicar (elevating the host), 1523; inscription and fifteen children of John Cryspe and wife Agnes, 1533; Margaret, wife of John Cryppys, 1533; man in a gown. (Hasted.) “Gorend is in this parish, and antiently had a church standing at the sea-side, but the decay of the Cliffe nere thereunto ruinated the same, and forced the inhabitants to build the church now standing, which was called All Saints. Antiently this parish was called sometimes Birchington in Gorend, and at other times Gorend in Birchington, but now they are all one, and most usually called Birchington.” (Kilburne.) Wood, or Wood Church, formerly a separate parish, is now attached to this.
31. Bircholt.−Under the hundred of this name, or which is clearly intended for this name, (D. B.) describes “a ville, which is called St. Martin, and belongs to Sturry, and is situated in the hundred itself: villain quae vocatur S. Martinus, et pertinct
